EDLD 5345 – Human Resource Management ET8027
Janet Kelly
Discussion posts
Week One
Question:
How would you define the culture of your campus?
I would define our campus culture as one that supports its teachers professionally and encourages an
environment that strives to reach students with a variety of instructional strategies and programs.
Currently, the campus has a character education program that is based on the knight system. Each
month the knights come to school and physically “knight” students that have been recognized for a
particular quality such as honesty, responsibility and compassion. All this is to say that the school fosters
a culture that values high moral character among students and faculty.
Is there a vision for learning that is shared by administrators, teachers, and staff?
Yes, the campus has a defined vision. It is: “Where the mind is developed and the future begins”. The
mission statement is ”the Kendall Elementary School community works collaboratively to empower our
students to develop the skills and character needed to become responsible, productive citizens and
dedicated learners.” These are defined in the following acronym.
Knowledge - empowering students to be life-long learners. Network - linking home, school, and
community. Individuals - meeting the needs of every student. Growth - building healthy minds and
bodies. High Expectations - striving for academic excellence for all. Technology - developing skills necessary
to compete in the 21st century. Safe environment - providing a nurturing environment for teaching and
learning.
Are positive relationships among students, staff, parents, administration and the community fostered?
Positive relationships with all stakeholders are fostered through a collaborative learning environment.
Each group member – teachers, parents, and community members – are invited to participate in
committees that determine the campus improvement plan. The PTO also provides hospitality for events
to allow for communication. Recently, the school hosted our state representative, with a desire to hear
about the financial situation in Austin and school funding. And yes, everyone was cordial!
If you were in charge of your campus, what would you do to improve the campus culture?
If I were to attempt to improve the campus culture, I would try to work on the relationship with the few
parents that are complainers. They don’t complain about academic programs, but about the “fun” stuff,
like field trips and parties. They seem to think that because they can donate the money to bring back the
lost field trip due to budget cuts, that everyone should drop on their knees and call them savior. These
parents don’t realize there are four other schools that lost that field trip, too. Are they going to keep it
even and fund those field trips, too? It may be impossible, because some people choose to live negative
lives and are never grateful. But I think I would focus on trying to foster an attitude of gratitude among
these parents.
Comments
Week Two
How do you define ethics? Ethics is the set of moral values by which someone lives their life. Although
our society today has experienced a long decline in the level of expectation of high moral ethics from
our country’s leaders and individuals, educators are still held to a higher standard. This is not a new
concept. The book of James states, “Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers,
because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.” (NIV Bible, 1984)
In what ways do you think your personal code of ethics will be tested in a school leadership position? I
believe that my personal code of ethics will be tested in every way as a school leader. I would expect to
find myself in situations which would force me to choose the higher path every single day. Although I do
not believe I would “give in” to some temptations – such as inappropriate relationships or stealing – I do
think I would have to guard my mouth every day. Maybe even every minute!
How would your personal code of ethics guide your decision making as a school leader? My personal
code of ethics is written in a book called the Bible, which I try to read daily. I need to do this to remind
myself to stay focused on the needs presented to me that day, knowing that the decisions I would make
affect children’s lives and may have lifelong consequences. I know they are no “perfect” school leaders
and I would make mistakes. But I also believe that my mistakes will be worked out for good if I have a
humble heart and attitude of service.
Comments:
Week Three
What do you feel would be the most difficult aspect of evaluating teachers and campus staff?
The most difficult aspect of evaluating teachers and campus staff is sitting them down and telling them
your conclusions. If it’s all positive feedback then the process is easier. But often, critical feedback is
needed and speaking the words in such a way as to not discourage but to encourage to strive harder is a
skill that leaders need. Although some teachers may know their weaknesses before you open your
mouth, others may choose to not accept your evaluation and begin to rationalize why their boss may
erroneously believe false ideas about them.
How do you overcome that difficulty?
Remembering that improvement doesn’t come before addressing weaknesses would remind me the
necessity of bringing up the hard issues. Also, if I have frequently visited the classroom and witnessed a
particular behavior multiple times, then the teacher may be more willing to accept the need to change.
A principal who has difficulty in this area may benefit from having a third party in the room as a witness.
As time goes on and the principal receives positive feedback on how they convey their evaluation
findings to the teachers, eventually they may feel comfortable doing this procedure alone.
What criteria do you feel is appropriate in evaluating teacher effectiveness, and how do you ensure
fairness and objectivity during the evaluation process?
I have not received any training on this process, but I feel the more detailed the evaluation tool, the
more effective it will be in giving an accurate portrayal of the teacher’s skills. Teacher effectiveness may
be measured by test scores, rapport with students and parents, classroom presentations, orderliness,
classroom discipline, attendance and professional development attendance.
Week Four
How does a principal develop decision-making and problem-solving skills?
A search on Google turned up an unknown author, but the statement, “good
decisions come from experience, experience comes from bad decisions"
rings half true to me. Bad decisions are the ones we make that cause more
problems and are the lessons we remember the most and try to avoid in the
future. But we can also get wisdom by studying and taking to heart the
stories of those that have gone before us. Studying leaders from history,
conflict resolution, how to have difficult conversations and learning how to
get our staff on board for change are all processes that have been done
before by others. With a little humility and respect for the opinion of others,
we can learn to be a leader that proactively works to eliminate problems
before they occur. As leaders, we know we will not be able to please
everyone, but with time and skill, we can say “no” in a positive way that is
accepted by most.
Are those skills that an administrator must instinctively have?
Some skills that I believe an administrator must have are the ability to use
discernment and wisdom, the ability to put on a Teflon suit, and the ability to
diffuse an explosive situation. Discernment or acumen is the ability to make
quick and accurate judgments about people or circumstances. A school
leader needs to be able to spot the liar, the exaggerator and the gossip to
address bad habits that can cause problems on a campus and be spread to
others. The ability to put on a Teflon suit refers to when you get slimed by
letters to the editors, nasty emails or gossip; you can let it “slide off”. For
example, recently a mentally unstable individual started to attend our school
board meetings. With the police involved, the school board decided to have
an officer present from now on at their meetings. In response to this report in
the newspaper, an uninformed individual wrote a letter to the editor claiming
it was a waste of taxpayer money and that any protection afforded the
superintendent, etc., should be covered in their contracts. You can get angry
thinking about the students there, etc. that would be at risk from this
schizophrenic individual – who can be legally banned from a campus, but not
a public meeting – but you realize the intent of the letter was just to be
mean. That our anti-bullying campaigns are so needed, since bullies get
bigger and do not always grow up.
Do they come with experience?
I believe some skills are gifts with which we are uniquely born. But others
can be learned or built upon through hard work and experience.
As an aspiring administrator, what do you feel are your strengths and
weaknesses in terms of decision-making and problem-solving?
My biggest strength is also my biggest weakness. I have an extremely calm
demeanor. I am told this often. This is a strength when everyone else is
upset and I am diffusing a situation. It is a weakness sometimes when I do
not show enough emotion to go with the situation. My children often tell me I
do not respond with enough excitement to their accomplishments.
Week Five
This weeks’ lecture covered a number of the Educational Leadership Constituent’s Council Educational
Leadership Policy Standards. Which of these standards do you feel represent your strengths as an
aspiring educational leader?
I think Standard 4 is one for which I have already acquired some skills. Serving in volunteer capacities in
ministries, bond elections, community activities and a political organization have provided me with skill
for collaboration with the diverse stakeholders in our community. Two committees I have worked with
specifically purposed to get a coordinated community effort to meet ministry needs and economic
needs of individuals.
For which standards do you think you need more experience and training, and how do you plan to
acquire that experience and training?
The standard I need more help with is Standard 3. I never feel I am as efficient as I should be and I often
read books on “getting organized”. Whether its laundry, taxes, parenting or yard maintenance, I am
always up for new ideas.